What seemed like a potential three-team race for the division title turned into a relative laugher as the Athletics took the crown in 2013. In winning their second-straight AL West title, the A’s helped bring embarrassment to the high-priced rosters of the Rangers and Angels. Texas has shuffled their roster, while Los Angeles is hoping Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton will produce as they were expected to when they signed nine-figure contracts. 

Oakland Athletics

Billy Beane didn't tinker much with his offense, happy with a core that produced the third-highest OPS (.745) in the Major Leagues last season. The A's may not have huge names, but they get the job done. Four players finished 2013 with between 3.6 and 6.5 oWAR. The pitching staff was strong as well (3.56 ERA, good for seventh), but the group is now significantly different. Bartolo Colon is in New York, Jarrod Parker will miss the season following Tommy John surgery and they have a new closer in Jim Johnson.

Key Additions (2013 Stats):

Jim Johnson: 2.94 ERA, 1.280 WHIP, 56 Ks in 70.1 IP

Eric O'Flaherty: 2.50 ERA, 0.944 WHIP, 11 Ks in 18 IP

Craig Gentry: .280/.373/.386 with 2 HRs, 22 RBIs in 287 PAs

Scott Kazmir: 4.04 ERA, 1.323 WHIP, 162 Ks in 158 IP

Texas Rangers

After employing a top-two offense in 2011 and 2012, the Rangers took a step back at the plate. They ranked ninth in OPS (.735) and eighth in runs scored (4.48 per game) and home runs (176). As a result they went out and acquired Prince Fielder from the Tigers and signed Shin-Soo Choo to a $130 million deal. The Yu Darvish-led rotation, however, won't be as strong as it was a year ago.

 Key Additions (2013 Stats):

J.P. Arencibia: .194/.227/.365 with 21 HRs, 55 RBIs in 497 PAs

Shin-Soo Choo: .285/.423/.462 with 21 HRs, 54 RBIs in 712 PAs

Prince Fielder: .279/.362/.457 with 25 HRs, 106 RBIs in 712 PAs

Tommy Hanson: 5.42 ERA, 1.548 WHIP, 56 Ks in 73 IP

Los Angeles Angels

The Angels were an above-average offensive team in 2013, largely because of Mike Trout's otherworldly talents. Regular production from Josh Hamilton (.250/.307/.432) or Albert Pujols (.258/.330/.437 in just 99 games) would have catapulted them to among the game's best. Hamilton and Pujols make L.A. one of the hardest to forecast teams in baseball. If they improve, the Angels could challenge the A's and Rangers. If they continue to disappoint, you can forget meaningful games in the second half of the season.

Key Additions (2013 Stats):

Joe Smith: 2.29 ERA, 1.222 WHIP, 54 Ks in 63 IP

Raul Ibanez: .242/.306/.487 with 29 HRs, 65 RBIs in 496 PAs

David Freese: .262/.340/.381 with 9 HRs, 60 RBIs in 521 PAs

Yorvit Torrealba: .240/.295/.285 with 0 HRs, 16 RBIs in 196 PAs

Seattle Mariners

The Mariners haven't finished with a winning record since 2009 and it has been 13 years since they tasted the playoffs. Those droughts may not change in 2014, but there seems to at least be a light at the end of the tunnel. Seattle made a splash when they signed Robinson Cano away from the Yankees, but they also made nice complementary additions in Corey Hart and Fernando Rodney. If the young pitching comes along quickly, the AL West will become even more intriguing.

Key Additions (2013 Stats):

Corey Hart: .270/.334/.507 with 30 HRs, 83 RBIs in 622 PAs (2012)

Robinson Cano: .314/.383/.516 with 27 HRs, 107 RBIs in 681 PAs

Logan Morrison: .242/.333/.375 with 6 HRs, 36 RBIs in 333 PAs

Fernando Rodney: 3.38 ERA, 1.335 WHIP, 82 Ks in 66.2 IP

Houston Astros

Houston was among the worst teams offensively and defensively last season, leaving almost no place to go but up. There has been some excitement among those blessed with long-term vision, but too much eagerness at this point is a mistake. This division is deep and all the smart draft picks and signings Jeff Luhnow has made will have to work in order for the Astros to fully right the ship.

Key Additions (2013 Stats):

Dexter Fowler: .263/.369/.407 with 12 HRs, 42 RBIs, 19 SBs in 492 PAs

Scott Feldman: 4.27 ERA, 1.224 WHIP, 65 Ks in 90.2 IP

Chad Qualls: 2.61 ERA, 1.226 WHIP, 49 Ks in 62 IP

Jesse Crain: 0.74 ERA, 1.145 WHIP, 46 Ks in 36.2 IP

How We Think They'll Stack Up:

1. Rangers: Pitching will be their downfall in October, but they'll win a tight race.

2. Angels: A bump in production from Pujols/Hamilton is enough to flirt with a Wild Card.

3. Athletics: The loss of Parker and a dip in overall pitching will deny them a third-straight division title.

4. Mariners: Cano will help improve on 71 wins, but third-place is their ceiling. Fourth is more likely.

5. Astros: They will at least be more fun to watch as the core comes together.

 

Follow @RealGMBaseball and like us on Facebook all season for news, rumors and analysis.